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Under-Kimono

1955 - 1958 (made)
Place of origin

Kimono are worn with an under-kimono (nagajuban) of similar shape as the main kimono, but without the overlap sections, and of slightly smaller size. Under-kimono were often quite colourful but this example, designed to be unobtrusive under a kimono of the same gauze weave fabric (FE.35-2015), is undyed.

Object details

Object type
Materials and techniques
Under-kimono (nagajuban) of undyed gauze weave silk (ro)
Brief description
Tex, Japan, woven. Under-kimono (nagajuban) of undyed gauze weave silk (ro); Shōwa period
Dimensions
  • Length: 129.5cm
  • Width: 128cm
Credit line
Given by Sarah Brooks in memory of her mother Bernice Eileen (Wiese) Boo
Object history
This kimono ensemble belonged to Bernice Eileen Boo (1930-2010). Brought up on a small farm in Spencer, Iowa, she became a teacher of music for the US Department of Defense. She subsequently travelled the world teaching music, English, and other subjects to the children of families living on military bases. She taught at the Narimasu High School, Grant Heights, Tokyo, Japan, from 1957-1959, which is when she probably acquired this outfit which consists of a summer kimono (hitoe), obi (sash), obi-pad (obimakura), under-sash, under-kimono (nagajuban), underwear (hadajuban and susuyoke), shoes (zori) and sock (tabi), together with a wrapping cloth (furoshiki).
Summary
Kimono are worn with an under-kimono (nagajuban) of similar shape as the main kimono, but without the overlap sections, and of slightly smaller size. Under-kimono were often quite colourful but this example, designed to be unobtrusive under a kimono of the same gauze weave fabric (FE.35-2015), is undyed.
Collection
Accession number
FE.38-2015

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Record createdMay 22, 2015
Record URL
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